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Technical Fiat 500 vs Mini Cooper

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Technical Fiat 500 vs Mini Cooper

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ahmett

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Hello I have test driven the Mini Cooper over an hour doing everything I wanted to do and have come across some interesting conclusions between the two.

Basically, I like the Fiat 500 1.4 more! The engine feels smoother and is more of a screamer, it goes 7,250 rpm while the Mini hits the limiter at 6,500 rpm. It is much higher inside, with the Mini you feel like you are sitting on the floor. As a result I must say the Mini handles much better, I took a corner much too fast and there was no body roll compared to the Fiat 500 so you could take the corner faster and with more confidence. Since the test car had 175/65/15's you really ran out of tires much before the suspension gave up. The Mini Cooper barely feels any faster despite having 20 more horsepower, the brakes actually felt worse, I did a full emergency stop from around 40 mph. (again maybe that is the tires, but I really didn't feel much force from the brakes.) One thing the Mini is much better than the Fiat is the fuel economy of the car (aerodynamics add to the more efficient engine), and the Start Stop system of BMW is light years ahead of Fiat's version. I would say 10 years ahead at least. Interior design is not that much better than Fiat to justify the much higher price.
The way I see it Fiat care more about fun than economy!

So all in all, I would rather be in my Fiat 500 1.4 than a Mini Cooper 1.6!
I guess I'll stick with my duallogic gearbox and be on good terms with my dealer then!
 
It's not the height that makes the MINI handle well, it's the much more expensive (to make) suspension system, which is more accomplished than a lot of larger cars. That same suspension system is harder to package also, making the amount of room in the car vs the overall size of the car worse in the MINI than the 500.
 
ahmett said:
I dont abuse my gearbox! The gearbox is just fine its the gearbox ecu thats trippin'b
Click to expand...

I'd agree you don't single out the gearbox in particular - the whole car seems to get the 'ahmett treatment' :eek:.

ahmett said:
its the gearbox ecu thats trippin'b
Click to expand...

It's probably doing the electronic equivalent of closing its eyes when it realises you're driving ;).
 
306maxi said:
You did a high rpm launch. This is abuse. I thought it was a seal that went? Now it's the ecu....
Click to expand...

Ahmett not abusing a seal, yesterday:

seal_clubbing_.jpg
 
306maxi said:
You did a high rpm launch. This is abuse. I thought it was a seal that went? Now it's the ecu....
Click to expand...
No no seal went the first time it broke. Now its the ecu so its both! Anyway i'll be the guinea pig of the forum and you guys will see how the fiat stands up to a lot of driving!
 
Oh i forgot the most important good point about the mini cooper. The gearbox is just amazing! So smooth and the clutch so easy to use!
 
I seem to remember 5th gear pitching up a 500 1.4 Sport against a Mini One 1.4 on the track. To everyone's surprise the 500 won!

I don't dislike Minis, but they are just so pricey next to a 500. If I add the equipment I have on the Abarth to a Mini One it actually comes to more than the Abarth cost me. A Cooper is similarly priced to what I paid for the Abarth, but much less well equipped and slower.

They seem to have a patchy reliability record too. Shame; I actually quite like the Clubman and the Clubvan versions. The Roadster looks good too.
 
Not surprised. When the Mini first came out I drove one, and didn't like it, mainly because it was like sitting in a bucket on the floor. In the 500 you sit higher in a nicer seat, and that makes you feel better and gives you improved command of the road. Moreover, I could barely get in the back of the Mini, so convoluted was the access, and of course the dashboard is a horrid mess of contrived retroness. So, the 500 rolls a bit, but it's still fun, and that's what matters.

By the way, how is the Mini's s/stop so much better exactly?
 
Ulpian said:
Not surprised. When the Mini first came out I drove one, and didn't like it, mainly because it was like sitting in a bucket on the floor. In the 500 you sit higher in a nicer seat, and that makes you feel better and gives you improved command of the road. Moreover, I could barely get in the back of the Mini, so convoluted was the access, and of course the dashboard is a horrid mess of contrived retroness. So, the 500 rolls a bit, but it's still fun, and that's what matters.

By the way, how is the Mini's s/stop so much better exactly?
Click to expand...

Yes I sit low in my car naturally as I like a low driving position, so in the Mini Cooper it was like I was lying down sleeping on the floor!

It felt smoother but that may just be me.
 
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